bio-, bi-, -bia, -bial, -bian, -bion, -biont, -bius, -biosis, -bium, -biotic, -biotical

(Greek: life; living, live, alive)

Don’t confuse this element with another bi- which means "two".

The most important things in life are not things.

—Anonymous
amphibiolite (s) (noun), amphibiolites (pl)
The fossil remains of animals that had lived in the past both on land and in water.
amphibiological (adjective) (not comparable)
Relating to a part of zoology that consists of animals which are adapted to living on land and in water; such as, seals and sea turtles.
amphibion (s) (noun), amphibia (pl)
A class of quadruped vertebrates containing frogs, newts, salamanders, toads, and many fossil groups.
amphibiosis (s) (noun), amphibioses (pl)
The condition of an organism that spends part of its life on land and part in water.
amphibious (adjective), more amphibious, most amphibious
1. Descriptive of a creature that is adapted to live on land as well as in water: Some animals, including frogs and toads, are amphibious in that they can survive both in streams and in dry areas.
2. Referring to something that can operate both on soil and in very wet areas: Jack’s parents had an amphibious vehicle which could be driven on the highway or even across a river without using a bridge!

Amphibious. That which partakes of two natures, so as to live in two elements; as, in air and water.

A creature of amphibious nature,

On land a beast, a fish in water.

Hudibras

—Samuel Johnson, A Dictionary of the English Language, 3rd ed., 1765
Relating to living or being able to live on both land and in water.
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amphibiously (adverb), more amphibiously, most amphibiously
Relating to a vertebrate animal of the class Amphibia in which the young generally undergo transformation from larva with gills to an adult air-breathing form with lungs; many of which live on soil and breed in liquids; such as streams, lakes, ponds, or oceans.
amphibiousness (s) (noun) (no plural)
The existence of life in, or connected with, two elements; such as, earth and aqueous habitats.
anabiont (s) (noun), anabionts (pl)
A perennial plant that produces flowers and fruits many times during its lifetime.
anabiont (adjective), more anabiont, most anabiont
Perennial or constantly recurring or lasting for an indefinite time.
anabiosis (s) (noun), anabioses (pl)
1. A revival or resuscitation of life; returning to life.
2. The condition of an organism that has passed into a resting stage, that is cyclic or seasonal, and is produced by a change in the environment; such as, the loss of moisture.
anabiotic (adjective), more anabiotic, most anabiotic
1. Apparently lifeless, but still capable of living.
2. Acting as a stimulant or tonic.
3. A revivifying remedy, a powerful stimulant; revitalizing or restorative.
anaerobe (s) (noun), anaerobes (pl)
A microorganism that lives and grows in the complete, or almost complete, absence of molecular oxygen: An anaerobe is a life form that can exist without oxygen and is nevertheless able to maintain its metabolic processes.
anaerobiont (s) (noun), anaerobionts (pl)
An organism that is capable of existing in the absence of oxygen: Anaerobionts can be bacteria in the intestines that break down waste with biogas as a byproduct.
anaerobiosis (s) (noun), anaerobioses (pl)
Life that is continued by an organism in the deprivation of oxygen, or existing in an oxygen-free atmosphere: Anaerobiosis can be exemplified by life forms that are unicellular, like protozoans and some bacteria, or they can be multicellular.
anaerobiotic (adjective), more anaerobiotic, most anaerobiotic
Relating to life in an environment devoid or empty of free oxygen; anaerobic: Anaerobiotic habitats are those that are devoid of, or significantly depleted in, molecular oxygen or the Earth's air.
Quiz If you would like to take a series of self-scoring quizzes over some of the words in this bio- unit, then click this Life, Live, Living Quiz link so you can check your knowledge. You may also try several additional quizzes in this listing.

Related life, live-word units: anima-; -cole; vita-; viva-.